ILOILO City – The government is not in a hurry to place Negros Oriental under martial law.
The military, police and local government units are assessing the situation on the ground and their recommendation would be given much weight, according to Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
“Pag sinabi nila na (If they say), ‘Please declare martial law,’ we might recommend (it). Pero (But) until they can show us there is (a) need for that, hindi pa siguro (it isn’t the right time yet),” Lorenzana said on the sidelines of the turnover of a P32-million regional evacuation center in Zarraga, Iloilo yesterday.
On Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte was considering declaring martial law in Negros Oriental to quell violence there.
Among the grounds for the declaration of martial law would be chaos and “uncontrollable killings” but these appeared to have stopped, said Lorenzana.
Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the President, as commander-in-chief, may “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it” suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the country under martial law.
The martial law period or suspension of the writ of habeas corpus should, however, not exceed 60 days.
The writ safeguards individual freedom against arbitrary state action.
“Ako, as of now, hindi ko nakikita na kailangan eh. But let us wait for the recommendation,” said Lorenzana.
The Defense secretary said the killings appeared to be “politically-motivated than anything else” because of the recent midterm elections.
“Seguro mainit pa ang dugo nila sa isa’t-isa,” he said.
A series of shooting incidents in the province from July 23 to 29 claimed 16 lives.
“Let us see in the coming weeks if ano pa ang mangyayari (what will happen),” said Lorenzana.
The Philippine National Police recently deployed 300 Special Action Force personnel to Negros Oriental.
During a Palace briefing on Aug. 1, Panelo said President Duterte could be using emergency powers, particularly declaring martial law, to quell the lawless violence in Negros Oriental.
“Grabe na ‘yung patayan doon. We have a barangay captain, a municipal mayor, four policemen, and a lawyer. The President doesn’t want this to happen,” Panelo said. “He wants it stopped and the only way to do that is to use his emergency powers.”
Panelo also said Duterte issued a stern warning to the New People’s Army (NPA) that is exploiting land unrest in the province and turning the province into a “quasi-state.”
“He has many options under the Constitution. He can call the Armed Forces to quell lawless violence, he can declare martial law,” reiterated Panelo./PN
